The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to immediately settle Nigeria’s outstanding financial obligations totalling €.1.1 million to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States-European Union (OACPS-EU) in order to avert imminent embarrassment and sanctions.
This follows the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Isiaka Ibrahim, the deputy Chief Whip, during plenary on Tuesday.
The House noted that Nigeria is a longstanding member of the OACPS, a key international organisation fostering development cooperation, trade and diplomatic relations among its 79 member states.
The Green Chamber of Nigeria has historically benefited from substantial financial and technical assistance channelled through the OACPS-EU partnership, particularly under the Cotonou Agreement between 2000 and 2020.
According to Ibrahim, “despite Nigeria’s substantial engagement with the OACPS, including access to over 1.7 billion in developmental grants and investments, funds through the previous OACPS-European Union from the Kotonu Agreement, year 2000 to year 2020, Nigeria’s outstanding contribution remains unpaid.”
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He said he was “concerned that the failure to remit these dues risks Nigeria’s imminent sanction by the OACPS Secretariat, which could adversely affect our ongoing and future contributions within the group. Further concerned that such sanctions could undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and reduce our access to critical development resources and partnerships.”
“ Nigeria’s continued participation in the OACPS-European Union partnership holds immense prospects for additional resources, trade opportunities and diplomatic benefits. It is of utmost importance that Nigeria regularizes its dues,” he added.
The sponsor stressed that it was imperative that the federal government act promptly to settle all outstanding contributions to preserve Nigeria’s active membership and participation in the organisation.
“It is, therefore, crucial to avert sanctions that could jeopardise our standing access to valuable development resources”, he said.
The House, therefore, resolved to mandate its Committees on Finance, National Planning and Economic Development, and Debts and Loans Management to conduct a comprehensive review of the benefits and risks associated with Nigeria’s participation in the OACPS-EU framework.
The committees are also tasked with ensuring that the Federal Ministry of Finance urgently disburses the outstanding amount, “as captured in various correspondences, especially a letter of E-1068-S2-11-391 dated January 28, 2025, from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to the Federal Ministry of Finance.”
The committees were directed to report back within two weeks with their findings and recommendations for further legislative action.
